Spycops Scandals

Undercover political policing scandal in brief

The cases we support take place within a wider context of public concern about undercover policing. While Police Spies Out Of Lives is a support group for women affected by relationships with undercovers only, we have compiled some links to significant background information below. If you think we have missed something, please let us know, providing an external link. Thank you.

Alongside the issue of undercover relationships, which is covered in depth on this website, there are several issues which have caused concern and alarm across the political spectrum, issues which suggest both that the officers and command units of undercover police have become corrupt, serving corporate interests rather than the public interest, and which show that the very premise of their role is problematic. These issues include:

No scrutiny – The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) allows for police to “gather intelligence” not evidence, creating an environment where police were able to deploy resources without accountability and without scrutiny. No court scrutinises the decision to send in an infiltrator, despite the far-reaching effects infiltration has on people’s lives and on movements for social change. The lack of scrutiny means operations may become subject to the whims and personal opinions of the officers and the handlers, who may in turn reinforce each other’s notion of what behaviour they think warrants infiltration.

Protecting police violence – one officer said he witnessed police violence, and became the subject of it, yet it is not clear how or whether he or his handlers did anything to challenge this violence in the culture of the police. Other officers were – incredibly – infiltrating groups who were organising against police violence, police racism and police corruption. This in itself is police corruption.

and more…
The context in which undercover abuse and corruption has taken place is one in which successive UK governments, alongside other governments, undermine democracy by criminalising dissent and discouraging citizens from organising for social and environmental justice. During the period covered by the deployments linked to this case, new laws were introduced including suppression of union organising, rights to assembly, and squatting. While these issues may not be heard in court as part of the case, this context must be understood – and, we hope, addressed.

“We are united in believing that every woman, and every person, has a right to participate in the struggle for social and environmental justice, without fear of persecution, objectification, or interference in their lives.”
– from Where We Stand

Other campaigns on these issues – a number of organisations are working on campaigns which tackle these issues. Some are listed here; they need your support.